Chic Sleep – A Personal Review

A little late to the game but let’s talk about Lake. By now you have seen them on almost every influencer and I am sure you have been served an instagram ad or ten. I admit I was thoroughly influenced, drank the kool-aid a year or two ago and am now on a mission to only wear Lake Pajamas to sleep. They are what they say they are – pajama perfection.  For many years after college my pajamas consisted of old sorority and vacation t-shirts and maybe a nice set from Target or two. Now I am the proud owner of a few Lake sets and continue to grow my collection. Let’s just say my sleep is a lot more chic!

My favorite are the short sets, number one being the Pima short set with short sleeves. The long sleeve set is nice, but the short sleeve is where it’s at. These are perfect for going on trips with friends and family, easy to go from bed to the breakfast table.

I am currently eyeing THIS gauze caftan to try.

Tips – they do a few good sales a year, I try to stock up then. They aren’t the cheapest but I will say they wear the best out of any pj’s I have tried. Also, if you want to dry them order a size up, they do shrink.

SHOP MY FAVORITES – 

 

Round Hill

Last month when our original vacation plans to Cabo were spoiled by a hurricane we made the quick decision to change locations (thanks to the ease of Southwest) and picked Jamaica. Literally 24 hours before we were set to arrive – Round Hill Resort came to our rescue. What a treat we were in for. Five amazing days spent in paradise – no schedules, no place to be, minimal cell phones and no TV – the relaxation was just what I needed.

The resort is truly one of a kind – steeped in history, beautiful architecture and the most amazing people. JFK and Jackie honeymooned here, Megan Markle and Prince Harry visited last year, Ralph Lauren owns a few villas and frequents often – not to mentioned designed several of the public spaces.

Not only did we come home with amazing memories – but lots of design inspiration too! I can’t wait to get back.

{Villa 23 – Our Home for the Week}

{Round Hill Lobby}

{Happy Hour}

{Fresh Flowers from the Villa Garden}

{Breakfast at our Villa Every Morning}

{Outdoor Living}

{Island Time = Rum Punch}

Packing List

Packing my suitcase for a tropical trip this week. Can’t wait to wear these new pieces. 

 

Shop The Post: 

A Year in Review {2015}

2015 in Review

To say 2015 was a whirlwind, would have to be an understatement. The ups {traveling and turning 30} and downs {my dads accident and the passing of my grandmother} made this year like no other I’ve experienced. On top of it all, I did make some pretty amazing memories this year. In no particular order, these are a few of my favorites from 2015!

Eataly: I traveled to Chicago a few times this year for work and thoroughly enjoyed every minute! There is nothing more freeing than traveling solo. Eataly was top of my list for dinner on all of my trips! {see post}

Oak Alley Plantation: Such a fun day date; still can’t believe it was my first time visiting!  {see post}

St. Thomas: My boyfriend and I took our second annual December trip to St. Thomas and stayed a little longer this time, such a great getaway from it all. {last years post}

San Francisco: A last-minute trip to San Fran over Labor Day was the perfect getaway. My boyfriend had never been and we were full-on adventure mode!

Willa Jean: A favorite 2015 addition to the New Orleans food scene – the cutest bakery!

Mexico City: My bf spent the first half of the year in Mexico City and brought back these amazing hand embroidered fabrics!

Memorable Meal: If someone asked what was my favorite food I ate this year it would have to be Thanh Long in San Francisco – the most unassuming restaurant with the best crab I’ve every had!

Soho House: I stayed at the Soho House in Chicago on a business trip and have to say this hotel has to be one of favorites in the US!

Best Solo Adventure: Chicago again – on one of my visits I got to extend a day into the weekend and had a tourist solo day in the city. I visited the Art Institute of Chicago and throughly enjoyed the amazing collection and wandering aimlessly throughout the Museum.

Lundi Lunch: Lundi Gras is the day before Fat Tuesday and my friends and I have created a tradition {coming up on our fourth annual} to lunch at Commander’s Palace before taking in the evening parades. The most festive time of the year in New Orleans.

Family Snap: My mom snapped this picture on our first trip to Florida post my dads accident, it was so nice to be together as a family and to have my dad back on his feet.

Auntie: Having a niece has been oh so fun and Christmas was like no other. Already looking forward to next year!

Favorite Selfie: Who doesn’t love a good selfie?! This was one of my favorites of the year.

Turning 30: Holy cow, how am I 30?! I had the perfect 30th with my family and close friends. {see post}

St. Thomas and St. John

2015-02-22_21-08-21In December, {I know this post is long overdue} my boyfriend and I traveled to St. Thomas for a long weekend away. I had been before as a child, but never as an adult, and we already can’t wait to plan our next trip! From the food, to the people and activities, we had such a blast! I wanted to share my top picks with you! And a few photos of course!

To Stay: The Marriott Frenchman’s Reef 

-This hotel is the perfect location {not too far from the airport and very close to town} and has all the amenities one could possibly need! The staff was excellent and the property had the most amazing views from wherever you were!

To Eat: Havana Blue 

-Every meal we had was truly delicious, however our favorite had to be at Havana Blue. Just a quick ride from the hotel, the chef has a created a unique menu with local flare. The surf & turf was out of this world! And we had an ocean front view.

To Drink: Iggies 

-We ventured to Iggies one night after dinner and had the best time. The bar is right on the beach {think toes in the sand} with a live band and fun bar games, you can’t go wrong!

To Beach: Magen’s Beach {St. Thomas} and Honeymoon Beach {St. John} 

-Magen’s Beach is on the opposite side of the island from where we stayed and we ventured out one afternoon and couldn’t be happier that we did. A very secluded and beautiful spot, and oh so relaxing! {Shown in the last photo below}

-We took the ferry over to St. John for a full day of adventuring, however we spent majority of our time at Honeymoon Beach. We hiked from the downtown area to this beautiful oasis {our hotel bartender recommended it to us}. This is a MUST see. The water is just perfect and the beach was so quite! There was a little drink stand that served ice-cold coronas that kept us there most of the day! {Shown above and in photo two below}

St. Thomas Blog Post

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I’ve been traveling just about every single weekend since March and needless to say I’ve gotten a lot better at packing. They say practice makes perfect, right? I have a few things I consistently pack, but I’m always on the lookout for new items that make traveling easier. Like an oversized travel wallet, perfect for plane tickets, passports and travel receipts. Or an extra long iPhone charger, perfect for those tricky hotel outlets. What are your must have travel accessories?

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Clear Travel Pouch, iPhone Charger, Bag Tag, Travel Wallet 

In a New York Minute

I got back from New York late Sunday night and I have to admit the trip was one for the books. Just perfect; from the moment I landed {flight landed early}, to the cab ride to the city {with the windows rolled down}, the perfect mix of shopping, eating and sightseeing and the best part, 60 degrees and sunshine {the whole weekend}.  I normally visit New York in the winter, but with longer daylight and warmer temperatures, I think spring is my new fav.

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Laduree {couldn’t resist a Parisian macaron}
Central Park in the spring
The cutest balcony at the Kate Spade boutique 
The Plaza Hotel
Picture perfect restaurant 
 
*All photos my own {see more on instagram

ten under $10 {beach edition}

I have several beach trips coming up and need to refresh a few key pieces worn out from last season. I’ve rounded up the best beach buys all under $10! How fun is the pink beach bag? And who can resist a new pair of sandals?! Now if this unseasonably cold weather would just excuse itself, the beach is calling.

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1. Sleek Flip-Flops 2. Beach Bag 3. Sunscreen 4. Beach Towel 5. Makeup Bag 6. Nail Polish 7. Scarf 8. Sunglass Case 9. Lip Gloss 10. Sunglasses